Sail Training at Middle Island Friday Sunset Dinghy Racing

WORDS AND IMAGES: LUKE VAN DER KAMP

Many will remember the ever-popular Sunday social racing at Middle Island and have asked why it no longer occurs. The increase in course demand has meant that all the club RS Quest dinghies are being used every weekend and there are none left over for social racing. Friday Sunset racing at Middle Island was created to provide an opportunity for casual dinghy racing whilst enjoying the winter sunsets at Middle Island. Two divisions compete with the Optimist division starting at 1645hrs and the Open Dinghy Division starting at 1705hrs. The format: one race with a target finish time before 1800hrs. The courses vary from rounding Middle Island to ventures out towards Round Island and back.

With four dates scheduled during October/November, the temperatures were ideal (even if the wind was not at times). A combined 31 entries turned up over the first few weeks, most in Lasers or hiring the club RS Quests. The beauty of Friday Dinghy racing is that all the club dinghies are available for hire as there are no courses scheduled. Members are welcome to hire dinghies provided they are on the approved helms list or race their own.